Ex-chef at Va. governor’s mansion enters plea

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — The former chef at Virginia’s Executive Mansion has pleaded guilty to a reduced charge that he stole food from the first family’s kitchen, avoiding a politically embarrassing trial weeks before the state’s gubernatorial election.

Todd Schneider entered a no contest plea Wednesday to two misdemeanor embezzlement charges. He was ordered to serve six months in jail on each charge, with the time suspended. He also was ordered to make restitution of $2,300 to the state for the food he took.

Schneider had been scheduled to stand trial Oct. 15 on four counts of felony embezzlement less than three weeks before the Nov. 5 general election.

The case against Schneider brought to light allegations of misconduct against Gov. Bob McDonnell and entangled Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, the Republican candidate for governor.